The morning had started like any other at Kuoh High School. The sun shone softly through the classroom windows, students chatted in murmurs while waiting for class to begin. Daniel, Hikari, and Hibiki sat in their respective seats, sharing looks and discreet little notes with funny drawings of their boring classes.
Everything seemed calm... until Sona Shitori, the ever-serious student council president, approached the classroom. She didn't enter, didn't call anyone. She simply stood at the door and, with a precise look, directed her attention towards Daniel.
He immediately sensed something important was happening. His Observation Haki also whispered to him that there was an intention behind Sona's presence. With a slight nod of her head, she signaled for him to step into the hallway. Daniel stood up naturally, pretending he was going for water.
Hikari and Hibiki followed him with discreet looks.
Outside, Sona stepped close enough that only they could hear.
—"Serafall Leviathan-sama wishes to have a meeting with you, Daniel Hernández," she said in her usual tone, though there was a hint of discomfort behind it. —"She has been insistent and wants to see you in person this very afternoon."
Daniel raised an eyebrow, not surprised, but curious.
—"The Maou of Foreign Affairs? Wow... that doesn't happen every day."
—"Exactly," Sona added, adjusting her glasses. —"For obvious reasons, we need to keep this discreet. If you agree, the meeting will be in the student council room after school. Will Hikari and Hibiki be coming as well?"
Both Sekirei looked at each other for a moment before nodding.
—"We'll go with him," Hikari said firmly.
—"We won't leave him alone in front of a Maou, whoever it is," Hibiki added with a half-smile.
Sona sighed with resignation, as if she had expected that answer.
—"Very well. We'll see you later then."
Daniel nodded and returned to the classroom. However, before he could sit down, a curious gaze intercepted him.
—"What was that about?" asked Alya, with a slightly furrowed brow and the tone of voice she used when something didn't add up. —"What were you talking about with the president?"
Daniel froze for a millisecond. He knew telling the truth could raise more suspicion, but lying to Alya didn't feel right either. So, he opted for the most effective route: distract her with tenderness.
—"Hm? Jealous that another girl is talking to me?" he asked with a playful smile as he approached her.
Alya blushed a little and averted her gaze, crossing her arms.
—"Of course not! It's just... it was weird, that's all."
—"Then you won't mind if I don't tell you anything, right?" he said, lowering his voice while taking out a paper with a drawing of himself dressed as a secret agent with glasses and everything, holding a sign that said: "Secret Mission! With maximum tenderness code."
Alya blinked, surprised, then let out a small laugh.
—"You're such an idiot..."
—"I know," Daniel replied with a mischievous smile. —"But I'm your favorite idiot, aren't I?"
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling more.
—"Tsk... only because you're good at drawing."
Daniel went back to his seat, with Alya still blushing and the Sekirei watching the scene with knowing eyes. Despite the mysteries piling up, for a moment, everything seemed light again.
But inside, Daniel knew that the meeting that afternoon could change many things.
The dismissal bell rang, announcing the end of the school day. As usual, students began to pour out with enthusiasm, ready to enjoy their afternoon. Daniel, for his part, was organizing his things, waiting for Hikari and Hibiki to finish packing.
Just as he was about to leave, Alya approached him with a slight smile, her backpack slung over her shoulder.
—"Hey, what do you think about walking together again today?" she asked with that sweet tone she only used with him.
Daniel stopped and for a moment wished he could say yes... but he knew there was something more important he had to attend to.
—"Sorry, Alya... I can't today," he said with a sincere expression. —"The student council president asked to see me, Hikari, and Hibiki. It's something... important."
Alya frowned at the mention of the trio.
—"All three of you? Together?" she asked quietly.
The silence that followed didn't help clarify matters, and her imagination started running wild.
—"Don't tell me... you were caught doing something indecent at school!!" she whispered dramatically while blushing, scandalized.
—"What? No, of course not!" Daniel tried to defend himself, raising his hands. —"It's nothing like that, it's just—"
Before he could finish, Hikari and Hibiki, with mischievous smiles, approached Alya.
—"Yes, yes," said Hikari, winking. —"We were caught... right in the middle of it all."
—"It was very... intense," Hibiki added in a seductive voice.
Alya's eyes widened like saucers, her face turning crimson in seconds.
—"WHAAAAAT?!" she shouted, but quickly covered her mouth when she realized there were still students nearby.
Before she could say more, the twins moved to each side of her. One at her right ear, the other at her left, and they whispered in unison:
—"You could join us next time... if you want."
It was too much.
Alya let out a choked squeak, her face now impossibly redder, and without saying another word, she turned on her heels and ran off as if the devil were chasing her, leaving a comical trail of smoke behind.
Daniel just sighed, watching her disappear in anime style.
—"One of these days she's going to hit me with her backpack..." he murmured as the twins laughed uproariously, clearly proud of their mischief.
—"It was completely worth it," said Hikari, still laughing.
—"Do you think she'll take long to forgive us?" Hibiki asked with feigned concern.
—"What do you think?" Daniel looked at them with a resigned but amused smile.
With the atmosphere relaxed and fresh laughter, the trio finally headed to the student council. Upon arrival, Sona was waiting with her usual serious expression, alongside Rias Gremory, who maintained her composure, though with a slight anxiety in her red eyes.
But what caught Daniel's attention was the new presence in the room.
A girl with long, dark hair, tied in two pigtails adorned with stars and a shimmering cape. An overwhelming energy surrounded her, and despite her playful appearance and cheerful voice as she effusively greeted Sona...
Daniel knew instantly who she was.
—"Serafall Leviathan..." he thought, recognizing her thanks to his memories from his past life.
The Maou of Foreign Affairs was there, for him.
And the meeting was about to begin.
The atmosphere in the student council office was tense, despite how welcoming it normally felt with Sona in charge.
Daniel, Hikari, and Hibiki sat across from a figure whose mere presence commanded respect. Serafall Leviathan, Maou of Foreign Affairs, was dressed like a magical anime idol, with a shimmering cape and star-adorned pigtails. Her expression was animated, even cheerful, as if she was about to host a children's program.
But Daniel knew.
Beneath that facade of sweetness was a sharp, strategic... dangerous mind. The heart of a warrior who had lost too much in the Underworld's civil war. That smile was just the mask she had chosen to wear.
—"How exciting to meet you all!" Serafall exclaimed in a sing-song voice as she sat elegantly across from them. —"We're going to have a little chat, okay? Especially with you two, lovely ladies," she said, looking at the twins with eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Hikari and Hibiki looked at each other for a second, then nodded decisively. They had nothing to hide.
—"We are Sekirei," Hikari began. —"A race from outside planet Earth."
—"Each Sekirei has a different power and a unique connection to their Ashikabi, a person compatible with us on a physical and emotional level," Hibiki added serenely. —"Our goal is to find that Ashikabi and bond with them, which increases our power."
—"Currently, there are 108 Sekirei roaming Japan," Hikari continued. —"Some have already bonded, others are still searching."
Serafall nodded slowly, processing everything with apparent lightness... but Daniel could feel how behind that lively gaze, her mind was analyzing, weaving possible geopolitical and supernatural scenarios.
—"Interesting... very interesting~" she finally said. —"You're like collectible cards with superpowers and romantic bonds! Kyaaa~!"
Sona sighed from her place, visibly annoyed with her sister's exaggerated comments.
Then, Serafall turned her gaze to Daniel.
—"And now you, young human. I understand you were attacked by a fallen angel... I want you to explain it to me in your own words."
Daniel nodded, maintaining his calm.
—"I was attacked by a woman named Reynare. According to what she said, she was assigned to observe me... but she decided to take action on her own. She tried to kill me."
The words were direct. Serafall stopped smiling for a moment. The atmosphere became more serious.
—"I confronted her. I didn't use magic or a Sacred Gear... but a technique I've been training for weeks. It's called Haki."
—"Haki?" Rias repeated, interested.
—"Yes. It's an ability based on willpower, divided into three types. The one I used the most was Observation, which allows me to sense an opponent's movements and intentions. I also have Armament, which strengthens my body or attacks... but it's still in development."
—"And can only you use it?" Sona asked, taking mental notes.
—"Exactly. It's not a magical ability, but one of discipline and will. It can't be easily taught, and I doubt anyone else could replicate it without very specific training."
Serafall observed Daniel carefully. Then, her tone changed.
—"I see. Then I ask you, Daniel Hernández... do you want Reynare to be severely punished? I can make sure Azazel knows... even modify the report a little so the punishment is exemplary. Just tell me."
Daniel looked at Serafall fixedly for a few seconds. Then he lowered his gaze.
—"No. I just want you to make sure it doesn't happen again. I don't hate her. I don't want revenge... I just don't want this to be repeated."
Hikari and Hibiki smiled sweetly upon hearing that, moved. Even Sona and Rias exchanged surprised looks at the boy's maturity and nobility.
Serafall narrowed her eyes... and for a moment, her smile softened. Maybe it wasn't just a mask in that instant.
—"You're weird for a human." With that said, she rose from her seat, adjusting her cape. —"Alright, I'll prepare the report and make sure Reynare is returned to Grigori without a finger laid on her."
Then, before leaving, she turned to look at Daniel again... and with a mischievous smile said:
—"Oh, and by the way... I warn you that you're eventually going to fall for my cute So-tan~. It's inevitable!"
—"SERAFALL!!" Sona shouted, red as a tomato.
Daniel just broke into an anime-style giant sweat drop, looking to the side while Hikari and Hibiki chuckled softly.
—"Ah, young love~" Serafall hummed before disappearing in a magical flash.